Buying a Home? Find a Realtor® To Help Guide You

There is a reason why selling or buying a home is commonly recognized as one of the most stressful events in life.  Anxiety, worry, negotiations, legalities, and paperwork are involved at every step of the process, and navigating this world alone can be very difficult, not to mention costly.  A good Realtor® will guide you through this labyrinthine process and help ensure your rights as a buyer or seller are protected.  Why should you take the time to find a realtor?  And how do you find the best Realtor® for you?

A Realtor® is a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors, which has 72,000 members worldwide.  These agents are bound by very strict standards and regulations, pledging to follow the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, as well as the laws of the state in which they are licensed, which ensures that your rights to confidentiality and professional conduct are upheld.

On a practical level, though, why do you need a Realtor®?  When buying or selling a property, many people want to save money, and one of the areas they think about cutting back in is having representation.  The thinking is that if they buy or sell their homes or properties themselves, they’ll save the three to six percent commission.  Those who have bought or sold real estate know that Realtors® are worth every penny of that commission.  The paperwork alone is overwhelming, and your agent will also handle communications with other real estate brokers, owners, lenders, and other interested parties.  Realtors® can help with the following:

• Determining how much house or property you can afford.  This is an essential first step in buying a property.
• Offering resources.  Realtors® can often access listings that have not yet been made public or which have not been actively advertised.
• Accessing information about any property you are interested in, providing due diligence and full disclosure.
• Showing properties.
• Helping you understand different finance options and which lenders can best help.
• Assessing the worth of a property and its current market value.
• Listing and advertising your property.
• Assisting in negotiations and helping you consider offers and/or counteroffers.  An objective third party is essential because it takes much of the emotion away and helps you look at the situation clearly.
• Guiding you through closing.
• Preparing and presenting legal documents.

Realtors® speak legalese, and their guidance is invaluable.  Choosing the right Realtor® is crucial.  How do you do this?  Ask friends.  If you have friends, relatives, or associates who have recently used the services of a Realtor®, ask them about their experiences.  Word-of-mouth is very much a powerful tool, and with today’s technology resources, it is possible to find feedback on specific Realtors® online.

Another easy and informal step is to look at the listings or “For Sale” signs in your neighborhood or the neighborhood in which you are interested in buying.  See who has more listings.  This is far from scientific proof of a good Realtor®, but it does give you an idea of who is well-known and experienced.  You can also visit open houses, check online and in your local print media, look at Realtor®.com’s listing of professionals and properties, and ask your lender for suggestions.

A Realtor’s help is invaluable, no matter what the real estate market looks like.   Buying real estate is complicated, and a Realtor® is your best asset when searching for or listing property, at the negotiation table, and at the closing table.  Find a home Realtor® who will watch out for you and your best interests.